Wave Properties 1

Draw

Draw a transverse wave.

Draw

Draw a longitudinal/compressional wave.

Multiple Choice

Picture an ocean wave far out in the ocean. The wave travels until it crashes on the beach. How far did the water travel?

• Over a hundred kilometers

• A few kilometers

• Under a kilometer

• Under 2 meters

QUESTIONS

•A wave carries energy.

Multiple Choice

What is a medium?

• Something in the middle

• The material that a wave travels through

• The line in a wave

• The distance between the top and the midline of a wave

• What is the medium of an ocean wave?
• Water

• What is the usual medium of a sound wave?
• Air

Waves can also be
classified by whether
they need a
medium or don’t
need a medium to
travel…

Types of Waves

Examples of
Mechanical
Waves:
● sound
● water
● ropes
● earthquakes
● tsunami waves

Mechanical Waves need a medium
to travel through.

Mechanical Waves can be
either Transverse or
Longitudinal

Examples of Electromagnetic
Waves:
● x-rays
● radio waves
● infrared radiation
● microwaves
● visible light

Electromagnetic Waves do
NOT need a medium to travel
through.

Electromagnetic Waves
are ALWAYS transverse
waves.

• What is the term for waves that require a medium?
• Mechanical waves

• What kind of waves do not require a medium?
• Electromagnetic waves

Multiple Choice

What is "A?"

• crest

• trough

• wavelength

• amplitude

• resting position

Multiple Choice

What is "B?"

• crest

• wavelength

• amplitude

• resting position

• trough

Multiple Choice

What is "C?"

• crest

• amplitude

• wavelength

• resting position

• trough

Multiple Choice

What is "D?"

• crest

• amplitude

• wavelength

• trough

• resting position

Multiple Choice

What is the bottom blue arrow pointing to?

• compression

• rarefaction

• wavelength

Multiple Choice

What is the bottom red arrow pointing to?

• compression

• rarefaction

• wavelength

Multiple Choice

What is the top set of blue arrows showing?

• compression

• rarefaction

• wavelength